Healthy Designer Muffins

If you want a delicious and nutritious snack for the whole family why not try creating your own muffins for a healthy yet interesting snack alternative? Once you are familiar with this basic recipe you can adapt it to suit your tastes at any time.

These are your basic ingredients for any muffin recipe. You can personalise this recipe by adding your favourite flavours. Be creative and have fun by using your preferred fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. However, here are a few combinations that I like to start you off.

I never add sugar to any of my muffin recipes. Fruit muffins contain enough natural sugars to satisfy sweet cravings. However, feel free to add as much or as little sugar as you like to the recipe. Remember, you can always spread your muffin with some jam or honey before serving.

Making these muffins is really quite simple. Once you are familiar with the basic method, it will be a breeze every time.

Method

Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees Celsius.

Firstly, you need to combine all the dry ingredients into a bowl. Sift the flour and bi-carb soda into the mixing bowl. Then add the salt and any herbs or spices you are using. Stir to combine.

Secondly, you need to mix together all the wet ingredients. In another bowl or jug whisk the eggs, then stir in the milk and olive oil.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and fold in the wet ingredients. There is no need to over mix all the ingredients at this stage. Just before all the ingredients are completely combined, you can now add your extra meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, nuts and/or seeds. Fold the ingredients in gently until just combined.

Spray a muffin tin with some oil and distribute the mixture evenly into each cup.

Place muffin tray into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. The muffins should be a light, golden colour when cooked. You can cook them for a shorter or longer period of time depending on how well done you like your muffins.

Bacon, corn and spring onion muffin

Delicious and healthy

These muffins are delicious straight out of the oven. However, they also freeze really well. Therefore, anytime you feel like a delicious, guilt-free snack just take one out of the freezer and pop it into the microwave for a minute or so.